Swiss

Skaneateles Women in Sailing Sisterhood (SWISS)

Women long have wanted to up their sailing ability in our club. Janet Besse held a women’s sailing day or two many years ago. However, SWISS (Skaneateles Women in Sailing Sisterhood) was born about 9 years ago when Betsy Elkins and Carol Williams talked about becoming better crew and learning to skipper boats. Through the years, under the tutelage of wonderful coaches, led by Griff Williams, women have become better skippers and crew by practicing sailing a course, person overboard drills, and even knot tying to name a few improved skills.

SWISS coordinators over the years have included Carol Williams, Betsy Elkins, Rebecca Fleckenstein, Deb Hutchinson, Betsy Sio and Rhonda Fabrizio. A huge thanks goes out to each one of them for upping the level of our women’s sailing chops!

For the second year, we will have Jen Tayne helping with instruction. We also have many coaches from our club that volunteer their time and expertise. So please get out your calendars and mark June 23rd, July 21st and August 4th as SWISS dates. As in past years, the programs will run from 12:00-4:00pm. If you’d like to help launch and rig boats show up between 11:00 and 11:30am. Bring a lunch to eat while we are getting on shore instruction. Each woman should bring a PFD. Also bring a water bottle, sunscreen and appropriate clothing for the weather! It is not necessary to attend each one. If you plan on attending, please let Carol Hatch or Miki Bangs know by the Monday before the program so that we can plan for enough boats and coaches.